The Revolution had given birth to a Constitution and to the Declaration of the Rights of Man – two important documents given prominence in France, and throughout the world. The missionaries wished to introduce a balance by reminding people of the “rights of God” in this ceremony in which the Law of God was promulgated. Eugene explained its purpose and significance:
The new promulgation of the law amidst a people who had, in some way, given up God’s commandments and who again want to be under the loving yoke of the Lord must be done in a way that leaves a deep impression. That is why it is very important to lead everyone in solemnly affirming one’s fidelity, in a loud voice, at the missionary’s invitation, who repeats from the pulpit, with the people, each commandment promulgated by the officiating priest at the altar, in a clear and intelligible voice, and then explains it.
Letter to Eugene Guigues, 5 November 1837, O.W. IX n. 652.
Sevrin (Les missions I, p. 228-229) describes the solemnity with which this ceremony was carried out with two tables of the law in front of the altar, containing the Ten Commandments in large letters. All the ministers present added to the solemnity by being richly vested in copes and dalmatics. The deacon sang the Gospel of the Beatitudes, which was commented on by the preacher who recalled the divine origins of the Law at Sinai. Then each commandment was solemnly read, and repeated by the people who promised to observe it.
It was a ceremony done with as much pomp as possible to highlight the divine law and to bring a balance to the effect of the Revolution which had solemnly enthroned the constitutions and the Declaration of the Rights of Man, forgetting about the rights of God on His creation.
It is remarkable that the Gospel which was read was that of the Beatitudes ‑ thus not laying stress on legalism in this ceremony, but on the heart of the commandments as values of the Kingdom of the Saviour.